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(ARA) – Given this year’s big earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, smaller quakes closer to home and predictions of an active hurricane season approaching, many Americans may wonder how their dwellings would fare in a natural disaster. Whether building new, or adding on, it is important to speak with the builder about how your home will be protected from seismic activity, high winds and other perils.

Although specific natural disasters are difficult to predict, no part of the country is immune. The dangers show that careful preparation in home and other building construction is a necessity.

"It’s not a matter of if, only of when an event like this strikes the people of the United States," says Marcia McNutt, director of the U.S. Geological Survey, commenting in USA Today on Chile’s magnitude 8.8 quake. Other hazards present additional risks. For example, six major hurricanes, on average, strike the U.S. mainland every decade, according to the National Hurricane Center, and wide swaths of the country are often subject to wind damage.

"Building codes in the U.S. are designed to reduce death and injuries from natural hazards," says Daniel Cheney, director of codes and product acceptance for iLevel by Weyerhaeuser. "The issue is making sure cities and counties are aware of the risks and have adopted and enforced the latest codes." Read the rest of this entry »

Members of the Munhall 4 Fire Company in front of 203 Engine and 203 Rescue after the memorial day parade, Main St, Munhall, PA

Thanks to Steve Norcup for the excellent picture!